BREAKING NEWS: Perth and Kinross to move to level three as COVID cases ramp up

Coronavirus restrictions will be ramped up in Perth and Kinross after it was announced the region will move to level three due to a sharp rise in cases.

It means that no bars, pubs and restaurants will be allowed to serve alcohol indoors or outdoors and will need to close at 6pm every day.

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The region will move to tier three from 6am on Friday, November 13.

It comes after a 32 per cent rise in cases in Perth and Kinross in the last week.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon made the announcement earlier today (November 10) at Holyrood.

The move comes as a shock after Perth and Kinross Council leader Murray Lyle confirmed to the PA yesterday he had been given no indication the status of the region would change.

Perth and Kinross currently has a higher rate of COVID infection than neighbouring Stirling had when it was placed in level three of restrictions last month.

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In the week up until November 5, the region recorded 96.1 cases per 100,000 people.

That is compared with the 77.5 per 100,000 when the Stirling region was put in the second highest level of restrictions – one above Perth and Kinross.

During her announcement the first minister added the decision was “difficult” but “necessary”, and will see the Fife and Angus areas move to level three also.

She added: “All three council areas are on a sharply rising trajectory.

“I know how disappointing this will be in these areas. But it can prevent a more serious rise in the future.”

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The current infection rate in Perth and Kinross is also higher than the likes of Edinburgh and Midlothian, which are also in level three.

No other local authorities have moved up a level and will remain the same until at least next week.

Perthshire North MSP John Swinney and Perth and North Perthshire MP Pete Wishart, said the news will of course be “disappointing” for residents but urged the region to pull together.

Commenting, Mr Swinney said: “The news that Perth and Kinross has been moved from level two to level three restrictions will be disappointing for local people and businesses but it is a necessary change given the rise in cases in recent days.

“There has been a 32 per cent rise in cases in Perth and Kinross in the last week so the Scottish Government has taken the precautionary step of moving the area to level 3 restrictions. This is to ensure swift action is taken to reduce infection and to protect lives.

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“I appreciate this change will raise difficult challenges for businesses but I would urge everyone to work together to tackle the situation we face.

“If we all play our part we can reduce the prevalence of the virus and see a move back to better circumstances sooner rather than later.”

Mr Wishart added: “I appreciate that this news will be disappointing for people and businesses across Perth and Kinross, but the rise in cases prove that this is unfortunately necessary.

“The message that we take from this has to be that we must work together to tackle this dreadful virus.

“The restrictions are in place for good reason, and we must work to reduce our contact with other households and situations which put us at higher risk.”